Blood cancers

The two main blood cancers in children are leukaemia and lymphoma.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia is the most common type of cancer in children.

Leukaemia originates in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. It occurs when white blood cells begin to develop differently than usual and crowd out the healthy blood cells. These cells then affect the body’s ability to fight infections and carry oxygen, as well as prevent bleeding.

There are two types of leukaemia depending on which white blood cell is affected, in either the lymphoid or myeloid.

Acute leukemia

Acute leukaemia appears suddenly and grows quickly and usually gets worse if left untreated. The most common and treatable form of paediatric leukemia is acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL). Acute myelocytic leukaemia (AML) is another form of acute leukaemia.

Chronic leukemia

Chronic leukaemia is a more gradual process and progresses relatively slowly in comparison. Chronic forms include chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Symptoms

Symptoms of a child who may have leukaemia includes fatigue, anaemia, repeated infections, increased bruising and bleeding, poor appetite and weight loss, bone and joint pain, vision impairment and headaches as well as swelling in the gums and lymph glands.

Treatment

Treatment options for leukaemia include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and bone marrow transplant.

Age range

ALL peaks between 2-5 years of age, while AML can occur at any age, but is less common. CML and CLL are rare in children, with CML more commonly seen in adolescents. CLL typically only affects older adults.

Lymphoma

Like leukaemia, lymphoma occurs when abnormal white blood cells begin to grow in the lymphatic system, which is a network of small vessels that form part of the body’s immune system . The lymphatic system includes lymph fluid and lymph nodes, which are in the neck, armpit, chest, abdomen (belly), and groin.

Children who have weak immune systems or contract viral infections can have a higher risk of developing lymphoma than others.

There are two types of lymphoma – Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin. Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 10% of all lymphoma cases, while the other 90% are attributed to 40 subtypes of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  These subtypes vary in how fast they grow and spread, and how sick people feel.

Symptoms

Lymphoma symptoms include swelling in the lymph glands or abdomen, excessive sweating, fatigue, loss of appetite or increased bruising or bleeding.

Treatment

Treatment options for lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy.

Age range

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma mainly affects children between the ages of 5-15, while Hodgkin lymphoma is common in 10–18-year-olds. Cases of lymphoma in infants are rare.

Blood cancer stories